A large contingent of NSW Police officers carrying long-arm rifles will patrol the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) during the first day of the Ashes series. Authorities say the heightened security aims to reassure the public following the Bondi Beach terror attack last month.
NSW Police prepare to patrol the Sydney Cricket Ground ahead of the first Ashes Test. Source: (The Economic Times)
Heightened Security Measures
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon explained that the operation focuses on visible deterrence and public reassurance. “Many people may not be used to seeing police carrying rifles at sporting events,” he said. “Our objective is to help the public feel safe, and police will be out in force.”
Public Order and Riot Squad officers patrol the SCG with visible long-arm rifles. (Source: Guardian)
The policing operation will include uniformed officers, mounted police, and Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS) officers equipped with long-arm rifles. Officers will also continue standard duties, including monitoring antisocial and unsafe behaviour across the grounds.
Background of the Bondi Beach Attack
The increased security follows the Bondi Beach attack on December 14, 2025, during a Hanukkah celebration attended by around 1,000 people. Two gunmen, later identified as father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram, opened fire on the crowd, killing 15 people and injuring multiple others.
Investigators found homemade Islamic State flags and unexploded devices in the attackers’ vehicle. Authorities confirmed the attack was motivated by antisemitism and IS ideology, marking it as one of Australia’s deadliest mass shootings in modern history. The incident triggered a national debate on public safety and emergency preparedness.
Visible Patrols for Public Confidence
Fans attending the sold-out Ashes match at the SCG will notice a higher police presence, with officers patrolling the stadium in visible numbers. Long-arm rifles are intended as a precautionary deterrent and not in response to any specific threat, officials said.
Assistant Commissioner Leanne McCusker, Commander of Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics, emphasised that no imminent danger exists. “All PORS officers are rifle trained and have been for some time,” she said. “This does not reflect any recent change in capability or weaponry.”
Uniformed and mounted police will conduct regular patrols across the venue, ensuring fans can enjoy the event with reassurance. The extra visibility is part of broader measures to maintain safety at major public gatherings.
Comparison to Melbourne Ashes Test
The security approach in Sydney mirrors the arrangements during the fourth Ashes test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which began December 26. Specialist officers in Melbourne patrolled the stadium, nearby parks, and railway stations carrying semiautomatic rifles.
NSW Police emphasised that the operations focus on deterrence and reassurance, not escalation of force. Commissioner Lanyon noted that policing at major events prioritises both public safety and the normal conduct of sporting fixtures.
Attendance and Public Response
A full crowd is expected at the SCG, and authorities have stressed that fans can attend safely. Mounted officers will navigate key spectator areas, while uniformed police monitor entrances, exits, and nearby public spaces.
The visible presence of long-arm rifles is designed to reassure the public without causing alarm. Authorities have stated that no intelligence indicates a new or specific threat to the Ashes match. The operation is therefore largely preventive, focusing on maintaining public confidence in attending major events.
Broader Policing Context in Sydney
Premier Chris Minns described the operation as part of a new policing approach across NSW. Earlier this year, more than 2,000 officers were deployed across Sydney for New Year’s Eve celebrations, one of the largest policing operations in the city’s history.
Minns said the strategy marks a shift towards proactive presence, aiming to make public spaces safer through high-visibility patrols. Commissioner Lanyon confirmed that the capability and weaponry of officers have not changed recently, underlining that the operation relies on long-established skills and training.
Update on Bondi Attack Investigations
Seven people remain hospitalised following the Bondi Beach attack. Six patients are in stable condition, while one is critically but stable. Naveed Akram, 24, faces 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder. His father, Sajid Akram, 50, was killed during police intervention at the scene.
Authorities continue to monitor Sydney’s public spaces and major events, ensuring that security measures remain robust. The SCG operation represents the latest example of a coordinated strategy to protect attendees and maintain public confidence in large gatherings.
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Preparing for Safe Event Attendance
NSW Police have reiterated that fans should expect the presence of heavily armed officers but that standard event operations will continue as normal. Officers are trained to balance public safety with minimal disruption.
The visible deployment of long-arm rifles signals a preventive, rather than reactive, approach to security. Authorities have said that event organisers and police will continue to work together to maintain a secure environment during the Ashes series.
FAQs
- Why are heavily armed police patrolling the Sydney Cricket Ground during the Ashes Test?
Police carrying long-arm rifles are patrolling the SCG to provide a visible security presence and reassure the public. This follows the Bondi Beach terror attack in December 2025. Authorities have confirmed that there is no specific threat targeting the Ashes match.
- Is the presence of rifles due to an active or imminent threat?
No. The deployment of rifles is precautionary. Officers carrying long arms have been trained for this role for some time, and the measure does not reflect a new or immediate danger.
- What types of police will be present at the match?
The security operation includes uniformed police, mounted officers, Public Order and Riot Squad personnel, and specialist counter-terrorism units. Some officers will carry long-arm rifles as part of highly visible patrols around the stadium and nearby areas.
- Will the heavy security affect access or entry to the stadium?
Normal entry procedures will remain in place, and fans can attend the sold-out match as planned. The increased police presence is intended to reassure attendees rather than restrict access.
- Are similar security measures being used at other events?
Yes. High-visibility armed patrols have been used at other major events, such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground during the Boxing Day Test and New Year’s Eve celebrations in Sydney. The focus is on maintaining public confidence rather than responding to a specific threat.
- Will there be any tributes or recognitions related to the Bondi attack at the match?
Yes. Cricket authorities have planned tributes, including moments of recognition for first responders and victims of the Bondi Beach attack. Heavily armed police will also be present during these commemorations.
